County approves budget

Commissioners give 3-0 approval

Commissioners give 3-0 approval

September 26, 2007|By Scott Waltman, American News Writer

Brown County commissioners approved the 2008 budget on Tuesday, then made a couple of minor modifications. After getting the OK, the $19.06 million budget was increased by about $13,000. Of that, about $5,800 goes to the Teen Court program. It was inadvertently left out of the provisional budget. About $7,000 goes to the state to cover the cost of caring for people with mental illnesses. The now-$20,000 budget line item was reduced, but shouldn't have been because the amount is mandated by the state. Of the overall budget, $11.89 million is in the consolidated general fund, which funds many county departments. The 2008 budget is $1.35 million less than this year's, which came in at $17.71 million. Of that, $11.9 million was in the consolidated general fund. No members of the public spoke at the public budget hearing earlier this month, and none were on hand for Tuesday's 3-0 vote of approval. Commissioners Mike Wiese, Tom Fischbach and Nancy Hansen voted for the budget. Commissioners Deb Knecht and Dennis Feickert were absent. The breakdown: As usual, the county Highway Department gets the biggest slice of the budget. For 2008, commissioners have allotted the department $5.15 million for road building and repair, equipment purchases and employee pay. The other top budgets include: Sheriff's office: $1.14 million. Jail: $1.07 million. Most county budgets were raised by 4 percent for 2008. However, if a department or agency requested an increase that amounted to less than 4 percent, it got only what it asked for. No new departments or agencies were added to next year's budget and none were removed. Auditor Maxine Taylor said that 2007 revenues appear to be higher than once thought. That's good news for the county reserves. They were projected to total $1.258 million at year's end. She said the revised total is $1.346 million.